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4 months ago
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A globe-trotting dog trainer and comedian has been remembered as a beloved, larger-than-life figure after his tragic sudden death.
Tony Knight, 54, was at the 'Rock and Cars' festival in Lavaur, southern France, when a large tree branch fell on him and six other attendees. He was the only casualty.
The Englishman had just finished paying off a home in nearby Bouillac, where he planned to settle down with his Aussie partner of 15 years, Hayley Wright.
Ms Wright's sister, Joanne Allen, revealed Mr Knight wasn't with his partner at the festival and had messaged her an inside joke just moments before the accident.
Mr Knight was a world-renowned 'dog listener' and even helped train the pooches of stars such as Molly Meldrum, Sonia Kruger and the Dubai Royal Family.
'He was fit, he was passionate, he was charismatic, funny. He was just a good guy,' Ms Allen told Daily Mail Australia.
Mr Knight and Ms Wright met when he helped treat her dog for anxiety, with a blooming relationship starting shortly after.
Ms Allen said her heartbroken sister and Mr Knight were like 'two peas in a pod' and would often travel across Europe together to chase summer.
Tributes have poured in for world-renowned dog trainer, Tony Knight (pictured), after he was tragically killed by a falling branch at a French music festival last month
Ms Wright has now had to travel to the home they intended to share to organise his funeral and a wake with his family in the UK.
'I think the hard part will be her coming home to the farm because he's been there for four years and he's he's been pretty handy around the place,' Ms Allen said.
'Our mom's home now on the farm (and) says he's everywhere ... everywhere you go, there's Tony.'
Ms Allen also remembered the sudden shock of being told that the full-of-life Mr Knight had suddenly died, saying 'all your hope is dashed in that moment'.
Mr Knight had just started to live the life he dreamed of, working with dogs while travelling the world while having a home in a quaint French town, Ms Allen said.
'If he had a thought, he never believed he couldn't do and just went for it.'
Ms Allen fondly remembered Mr Knight being the family larrikin during Christmas often stoking the English vs Australian rivalry in backyard cricket.
The Englishman had only just finished paying off his home in a nearby town in France which he intended to live in with his devastated Aussie partner of 15 years Hayley Wright (both pictured)
Mr Knight was remembered as a larger than life figure who wanted to have a shot at everything, even taking to stand-up comedy which landed him a regular show in Ballarat
Ms Allen launched a GoFundMe earlier this week to help support her sister which has already raised over $4,600.
'(My sister is) arranging a funeral, covering hospital expenses, meeting police detectives, doctors and the mayor, visiting the accident site and sorting Tony's estate,' the fundraising page reads.
'All while experiencing a crushing amount of grief and disbelief in a foreign country.
'Tony we will love and miss you forever, life will not be the same but we will wrap our arms around your beloved Hayley.'
Lavaur mayor, Bernard Carayon, told the media that 'never has such a dramatic event happened in out town'.
'I have expressed our profound compassion to the family in this difficult time,' he said.
English (US)